Is there Life after the Holidays??

Life after the Holidays!

What is Life after the Holidays??

We get so excited for Christmas but can you really blame us? There’s Christmas music playing in every corner, social gatherings, new recipes and festive drinks to try (and I really like to try them all).

You start to think… What’s next?

For me, the holiday season often promotes reflection, just in time for the New Year. It’s a time where I start concerning myself with what potentially lies ahead, a good time to think about those pesky but often refreshing New Year’s Resolutions.

That being said, what are resolutions and why should we consider making one…or for good measure, a couple?

In my opinion, a New Year’s resolution is somewhat of a tradition. I’m on a pursuit to find a trait or a behaviour that I wish to tweak and aim to accomplish a goal in the hopes of refining my outlook and positon in life. Somewhere along the way I read that people have been on these pursuits since 153 B.C. At this point, I have to think to myself… if it’s been going on this long, I best carrying on the custom and make a New Year’s Resolution.

Some people make a pinky promise, some aim to kick a bad habit, like quitting smoking or eating less junk food. Other’s make promises to develop positive lifestyles and start a diet or exercise program. Some decide to work on themselves by reflecting, reading and writing. However, According to U.S. News, “roughly 80 per cent of Americans give up on their resolutions by the second week of February.” (2017).

Myself, I don’t necessarily wholeheartedly believe in New Year’s Resolutions. The goals I make are a lifestyle change that I am committed to even if it’s not January 1st. Although, this time of year allows me to be more mindful, I make an attempt at goal making throughout the year as my life changes from day to day. I do a little tweaking (per say) to make positive change and ultimately aim to make a better life for me and my family. An ongoing personal goal for me is to continue “Doin Work” at the gym. It’s my way of staying sane and at the same time, a chance to work on me. The last couple of months have been full of commitments and obligations that I have made to others; I found it challenging to make it through those gym doors. Although everyday life can get in the way of accomplishing your personal goals, it’s important to always take the time to rewind, reflect and regain focus.

Resolutions can seem pretty meaningless to some people, and that’s ok. Nevertheless, there are quite a few benefits to making them, like, self-reflection and positive change!

To promote positive change in your life, the foundation is undoubtedly self-love. To be better for others, it’s essential that I am a better for me. The relationship I have with myself is the foundation to the life I live. Practicing self-love is not something I always do consciously; sometimes it’s as simple as reflecting on a situation and identifying myself in it and how I reacted. Another way is being mindful of how I think. What’s driving a situation and is this mindset stopping me from living my best possible life. It is in these times that I push aside the negativity that sometimes surrounds me and look for things that I am grateful for… Like caramel macchiatos and pedicures. Totally kidding, although I am grateful for the simple pleasures that life has to offer, I take a look at my life experiences (both positive and negative) and examine how they shaped me… I am truly grateful for that!

This year, my focus is myself, my family and close friends. It’s my own personal belief that these people are made up of a select few who will do anything for you, never judge you, and love you unconditionally. When it comes down to it, it’s these select few that will support you in whatever path you wish to take.

As the old saying goes, “you only live once” so grab a hold of life and do you!